Neighborhood Developments

There’s a building at the corner of Forward Avenue, Beechwood Blvd, and the Parkway East off-ramp that you probably don’t look at very often. It’s the former home of The Buncher Company, circled in red above.

Medical marijuana is a new use in Pennsylvania so the building must have a Special Use Exception zoning permit before it can proceed.

The Zoning Board listens to community feedback as part of making its decision. Before the zoning hearing occurs, scheduled for May 25, Squirrel Hill and Greenfield will have an opportunity to learn about the project and give it a thumbs up or down.

The Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition (SHUC) and Greenfield Community Association (GCA) invite you to a public meeting to learn more about Keystone Relief Centers’ proposed medical marijuana dispensary at 3550 Forward Avenue/ Buncher Property.

WHAT: A Community Presentation and Discussion: Zoning Application for “Special Use Exception” for a Medical Marijuana Dispensary at 3885 Forward Ave.

Please join Councilman Corey O’Connor, representatives from Keystone Relief Centers, and members from SHUC and the GCA as we learn about and discuss what this Zoning Board of Adjustments (ZBA) special use exception would mean at this gateway corner into our two communities.

For more information about this project or any other Coalition-led programs and events, please visit www.shuc.org, call 412-422-7666 or email info@shuc.org.

For more on Greenfield Community Association projects, please visit www.gcapgh.org, call 412-339-0422, or email info@gcapgh.org

Pittsburgh is considering Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) to create a fast, frequent, bus service linking Downtown, Uptown, Oakland and the East End neighborhoods.

Please join Allegheny County, City of Pittsburgh, and Port Authority of Allegheny County for a community presentation about ongoing planning for bus rapid transit (BRT) connecting Downtown, Uptown, Oakland, and other East End Neighborhoods.

The purpose of this community meeting is to:
– update you on the status of BRT planning;
– answer your questions about the planning process; and
– collect your input on infrastructure and service options.

Improved stormwater management is critical to the well being of The Run. Not only do we need repairs to existing “gray” infrastructure (sewer pipes) but we need new “green” stormwater management to prevent tens of thousands of gallons of clean water in Schenley Park from entering the sewer system and swamping The Run.

On Sunday evening, 28 August 2016, a stationary thunderstorm dropped 1 to 3 inches of rain in the Pittsburgh area causing combined sewer overflow and flash floods in a number of neighborhoods. The Run, in lower Greenfield, was particularly hard hit.

Ray Gerard sent photos by Justin Macey and wrote:

As you may have heard, this past Sunday’s rainstorm brought a great deal of flooding to The Run … again.

Many folks cars were underwater, two people (1 adult & 1 child) had to be rescued by firefighters, and for some long term residents living near St John Chrysostom Church, for the first time in their memory, inches of water came up through their basement floors/sewers. This has traditionally been one of a couple of small areas devoid of water damage when it floods, due to a bit of higher ground.

Here are some pictures from Sunday, taken by Justin Macey. Of course there are many, many more pictures and pretty dramatic video clips as well.

Keep in mind that this flooding is not just water but also sewage.

In the photos below, a father and son were stranded in their car as the floodwaters rose. Firefighters arrived to rescue them and were soon up to their axles as well.

Father and son stranded in their car during flash flood in The Run, 28 Aug 2016 (photo by Justin Macey)

Firetruck arrives to rescue stranded father and son during flash flood in The Run, 28 Aug 2016 (photo by Justin Macey)

Another view of the flood.

Flash flood in The Run, 28 Aug 2016 (photo by Justin Macey)

And here’s one source of the floodwater.

Storm water and sewage bubble out of the sewer system, 28 Aug 2016 (photo by Justin Macey)

On June 16, 2016 Pittsburgh got more than half an inch of rain in 15 minutes — and nearly an inch in 24 hours. This was too much for the combined sewer system that carries both storm water and sewage. The sewers made geysers in The Run.

Patrick Gula recorded the video above. Tommy D’Andrea took photos.

The Sewer Geyser begins, 16 June 2016, under the Parkway bridge (photo by Tommy D’Andrea)

The Sewer Geyser grows, 16 June 2016 (photo by Tommy D’Andrea)

Thar She Blows! Full force geyser of combined sewer (storm water + sewage) during heavy rain in The Run, 16 June 2016 (photo by Tommy D’Andrea)

The Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition and Greenfield Community Association invite you to a public meeting to learn more about Buncher Company’s recent application to Pittsburgh City Planning to rezone and consolidate the property on 5500 Forward Avenue.

Please join Councilman Corey O’Connor; a Buncher Company representative; representatives from Office of City Planning; and members from SHUC and GCA Gateway, Commercial Development and Transportation committees as we discuss what the zoning changes may mean for this important “first-impression” corner of the southern Gateway into Squirrel Hill and our two communities.

Your comments at the meeting will be welcomed.

For more information about this project or any other Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition-led programs and events, please call 412-422-7666 or email us at info@shuc.org. Find us at www.shuc.org

The Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group (PCRG) is coordinating fixer upper loans for home owners who want to buy a house that needs a lot of work.

The loan covers the cost of the home plus the home improvement construction. Like a one-stop mortgage, it’s called a Community Acquisition & Rehabilitation Loan or “CARL.”

Greenfield’s moderately priced census tract 1517 is part of the CARL pilot program. That’s the area bounded by Winterburn on the west, the Parkway East on the north, Saline Street on the east and Hazelwood Avenue (including Notley, etc) on the south.

If the combined value of the loan is less than $233,000, then the borrower has to put only 5% down. The big requirement is that the owner must live in the home for five years or sell to another owner-occupant.